Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Dec 10, 2019 at 09:59am
Writing modified Dec 14, 2023 at 10:14am
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless

Track

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Neutral Sound 
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Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
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Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
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Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 1
Notice: These headphones were replaced by Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless
The Anker SoundCore Life P2 are decent truly wireless in-ear headphones that offer great a price-to-performance ratio. They have an almost identical design, fit, and sound reproduction as the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2, but are a more budget version that lose some of the more premium features, like a dedicated app and wireless charging. Their sound profile is versatile enough for most genres of music, but have a nice small amount of extra thump and punch in the bass range. Their in-ear design may not be comfortable for everyone, but they feel quite stable and are even rated IPX7 (though we don't currently test this), making them a good choice for wearing to the gym.

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The Anker SoundCore Life P2 are decent for neutral sound. While their sound profile is surprisingly well-balanced and accurate, unfortunately their soundstage is practically non-existent, though this is standard for closed-back in-ear headphones. On the upside, their frequency response consistency is great, so you'll get the same listening experience every time you wear them.

Pros
  • Great price-to-performance ratio.
  • Well-balanced sound profile.
  • Decently premium look and feel.
  • Superb overall battery life.
Cons
  • Sub-par microphone performance.
  • No dedicated app for customization options.
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Commute/Travel 

The Anker SoundCore Life P2 are good headphones for commuting and travel. While their in-ear fit may get fatiguing during long listening sessions for some people, they isolate a decent amount of sound to help block out ambient noise. Their overall battery life of almost 35 hours is also long enough for an entire work week, though you'll have to take a few breaks to charge them in between. Due to their truly wireless design, they're extremely portable, and feel durable enough that they shouldn't get damaged in your bag or pocket.

Pros
  • Great price-to-performance ratio.
  • Well-balanced sound profile.
  • Decently premium look and feel.
  • Superb overall battery life.
Cons
  • Sub-par microphone performance.
  • No dedicated app for customization options.
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Sports/Fitness 

These headphones are great for sports. They come with five different sizes of tips to help ensure you get a comfortable and stable enough fit in your ear. Once you do, they don't feel like they'll fall out even during slightly strenuous exercises. They're also rated IPX7 for waterproofing, meaning you should be able to sweat on them without causing any problems, though this isn't something we currently test.

Pros
  • Great price-to-performance ratio.
  • Well-balanced sound profile.
  • Decently premium look and feel.
  • Superb overall battery life.
Cons
  • Sub-par microphone performance.
  • No dedicated app for customization options.
0.0
Office 

These headphones are decent for office use. While not everyone will find their in-ear fit comfortable enough to wear all day, they do a fairly good job at blocking out the sound of AC units and chatty coworkers, helping keep you focused at work. They also leak almost no audio so you won't bother the person next to you with your dubstep. Unfortunately, while their charging case will likely last a full work week, the headphones themselves will need a recharge after about 6 hours.

Pros
  • Great price-to-performance ratio.
  • Well-balanced sound profile.
  • Decently premium look and feel.
  • Superb overall battery life.
Cons
  • Sub-par microphone performance.
  • No dedicated app for customization options.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The Anker SoundCore Life P2 aren't recommended for wireless gaming. They're Bluetooth-only which means they aren't compatible with PS4 or Xbox One. While they'll connect to Bluetooth-enabled PCs, their high latency may not be suitable for gaming.

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Wired Gaming 

The Anker SoundCore Life P2 are Bluetooth-only headphones that can't be used wired.

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Phone Calls 

The Anker SoundCore Life P2 are sub-par for phone calls. Like most Bluetooth headphones, their microphone will make your voice sound muffled and lacking in detail. While their mic's noise handling is okay, in moderately noisy environments such as a busy street, the volume of your voice is lowered along with the background noise, which can make it more difficult for the person on the other end of the line to hear you clearly.

Pros
  • Great price-to-performance ratio.
  • Well-balanced sound profile.
  • Decently premium look and feel.
  • Superb overall battery life.
Cons
  • Sub-par microphone performance.
  • No dedicated app for customization options.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Dec 14, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless in Bluetooth.
    2.  Updated Nov 10, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
    3.  Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
    4.  Updated Dec 10, 2019: Review published.

    Check Price

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    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Anker SoundCore Life P2 are similar to Anker's more premium truly wireless in-ears, the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2. While their design, fit, and sound reproduction are almost identical, they earn their lower price tag by having fewer features. They have a shorter single-charge battery life, a less durable-feeling case, no app support, physical buttons, and no wireless charging.

    We suggest looking at our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless earbuds, and the best noise cancelling earbuds.

    Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless

    Track

    The Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless and the Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless are similarly performing wireless earbuds, but the Skullcandy offer better features. The Skullcandy have better controls and a longer continuous battery life, making them a great choice for commutes. They also feature Bluetooth multi-point, allowing you to connect to multiple devices while working in the office. On the other hand, the Anker have a longer total battery life, making them a solid choice for long journeys.

    Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

    Track

    The Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones than the Apple AirPods (2nd generation). The Anker have a much better-balanced sound profile, better controls, significantly better noise isolation, and a longer single-charge battery life. On the other hand, the Apple have a more comfortable fit as they don't go into the ear canal, feel much more premium, and utilize the H1 chip for seamless pairing to your Apple devices.

    Apple AirPods Pro

    Track

    If you can afford them, the Apple AirPods Pro are better truly wireless headphones than the Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, feel much more premium, and have ANC to help block ambient noises. On the other hand, the Anker have a similarly well-balanced sound profile and offer good overall value if you don't want to pay the premium price for the Apple.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty Air

    Track

    The Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless are similar to the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air. The Life feel slightly better built with a more premium matte finish and have a longer battery life. On the other hand, the Liberty have better noise isolation and a slightly more neutral sound profile.

    Show more 
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!

    Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.

    You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedTruly Wireless
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked
    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
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    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedN/A

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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